having a specified feeling, mood, personality trait, or kind of heart (now used only in combination).
hardhearted;
sad-hearted.
fixed or present in the heart.
What does hearted mean? Hearted is used in compound words to mean “having a specific type of personality or trait.” The word that precedes hearted indicates the type of personality or trait, as in hardhearted or warm-hearted. Hearted can also be used by itself to mean “present in the heart,” but this usage is very rare. Example: Tim’s so kindhearted that he gave his coat to a homeless man on his walk home today.
First recorded in 1175–1225, hearted is from the Middle English word iherted. See y-, heart, -ed 3
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"When we were all talking during the broadcast, Domhnall made a light hearted joke about wanting to be in one of my music videos," she recalled.
From BBC ● Feb. 6, 2026
"Our dad a warrior on the football pitch, captaining club and country, a kind hearted and generous man off it," she said.
From BBC ● Jan. 9, 2026
“Quiet, intense, intuitive constant and hugely creative, ‘Teddy’ was a warm hearted and vital part of the Cure story,” the band said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 26, 2025
"Quiet, intensive, intuitive, constant and hugely creative, 'Teddy' was a warm hearted and vital part of The Cure story."
From Barron's ● Dec. 26, 2025
“I’m sorry you have to go through this. But I’m sure you understand that Mrs. Murphy, generous hearted as she is, can’t take you in indefinitely. You do understand, don’t you?”
From "Orphan Train" by Christina Baker Kline
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
